Jalen Williams Takes Home Final Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award
Following the end of an exciting 2022-23 NBA regular season, Thunder frosh Jalen Williams has taken home the final Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award for March and April.
Blossoming to No. 2 on the official NBA rookie ladder more than a month ago without relinquishing the title since, it’s no secret that Williams has been playing at an elite level down the stretch.
In March and April, Williams averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 88 percent at the line. He also dished out an impressive 4.3 assists per game.
Williams had a slower start to the season due to a face injury before blossoming into the star he’s looked for OKC in the late stretch. On the season, he improved his stats to 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
His other Rookie of the Month award came in November.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, the likely recipient of the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year Award in the coming weeks, took home the final Eastern Conference Award for March and April, brining his total to four.
While Williams likely has no real chance at that award due to Banchero’s dominance, he’s likely content with both his season and in the fact he’ll play against the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Play-In game on Wednesday. With a win there and against tonight’s Western Conference loser, OKC could secure a Playoffs berth.
OKC takes on the Pelicans at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday in New Orleans.
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